Divisional rivals become full time
By Nathan Jackson
May 19 2011
Lincoln City's Blue Square Premier rivals Newport Town have become full time today following a successful first year in the division. Manager Anthony Hudson made the decision as he attempts to build on the progress of The Exiles.
Such is the extent of Anthony Hudson that he has said that all players who are not willing to become full time professionals are not welcome at the club anymore. All contracts that the club offers now will be full time and only captain Gary Warren seems exempt from the full time training regime as he has a promising teaching career.
“Everyone who is going to be here next season will be full-time and that is the way it has to be,” Hudson told the South Wales Argus “In a sense, because I am new to all these things, there is a bit of learning on the job but some things are black and white and this is one of them. For us to progress, we need to be full-time, to have players who are 100% committed and don’t have any other things on their agenda. This is a big day for the club and we are fully confident with the decision we have made.”
Newport have one former Imp who will have had no trouble adapting to the full time game, Steven Lennon. The former Rangers man has joined a rare group of players to have played for teams in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland within a twelve month period.
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Their big challenge will be to do what Newport have done and stay up at the end of the season. If they do that and can get their average crowds up to 2,500, then they have a chance of doing the same the year after.
